Aldegrever, Heinrich (1502-c. 1561)

German print maker and painter. In his early career he produced several small engravings of religious subjects, but his main work was ornamental designs; his style was strongly influenced by the works of Dürer.

Aldegrever was born at Paderborn, and may have studied in Dürer's workshop in Nuremberg. About 1527 he settled at Soest, where he died.

He executed relatively few paintings, mostly portraits notable for their characterization. His prints - mostly engravings, but also a few woodcuts - include events from classical antiquity, genre scenes, and portraits, as well as his many designs for objects such as dagger sheaths.

Though Dürer was the main influence on his style, Aldegrever also studied the works of Italian engravers closely, in particular those of Pollaiuolo and Marcantonio Raimondi. His delicate, slender figures have a Mannerist elegance (see Mannerism), and his meticulous engraving technique allowed him to depict effects of light and texture with considerable fidelity.